Talking Sports with Philadelphia Soul’s Tanner Varner

Tanner Varner, an injured defensive back with the Philadelphia Soul in the Arena Football League, recently took time to do a Q&A session with The Capital Sports Report. His interview is about his sports career and views.

TCSR: What’s it like playing against the Iowa Barnstormers in Iowa, where you are from?

TV: “I grew up there and have a lot of friends and family there. It’s an honor to play in front of them.”

Football

TCSR: Could you talk about going to Northern Iowa, the same college that retired football player Kurt Warner attended?

TV: “He’s a few years older than me, but we have a lot of history together. We went to the same school and we played for the same Arena Football team, in the Barnstormers. Hopefully, I can follow his footsteps to the NFL. That would be nice.”

TCSR: What are your thoughts on Warner’s career?

TV: “He gives a lot of us hope. He started out in Arena Football and now he’s going to be going into the Hall of Fame with the NFL one day. There’s a lot of players that go from Arena to the NFL every year, but he’s the one that started it all. He’s had a great NFL career and I hope he goes into the Hall of Fame.”

TCSR: What made you want to come to Philadelphia after playing in your home state with the Barnstormers?

TV: “The tradition of winning. In 2008, they won it all. The ownership group here is amazing. They (the owners and Tom Goodhines, GM) have put together a great team. All the guys get along, which is great! You want to be around teams like that.”

TCSR: You are currently out with an injury that is costing you the rest of this season. How bad does it hurt you not being about to play out there with the rest of your teammates?

TV: “It hurts. I was having a really good season, too. I’m a player that has never had to sit out, so that’s the hardest part. But I still want to be around these guys and hope they win.”

TCSR: Once the season ends, you become a free agent again. Are you going to be back in Philadelphia next year?

TV: “I hope so. I want to be back. This ownership group is amazing. The players are great guys, as I mentioned earlier, and the fans are great! It’s a great combination.”